Popular Gun Instruction Youtuber Announces His Own Death

(Scypre.com) – In a somber farewell to his devoted fans, renowned YouTube firearms expert Paul Harrell announced his own death in a posthumous video uploaded to his channel. Harrell, a U.S. Army and Marine Corps veteran known for his detailed gun reviews and firearms instruction, succumbed to pancreatic cancer at the age of 58.

The video, titled “I’m Dead,” was shared by his manager, Brad Nelson, who had long been involved with Harrell’s channel. Harrell recorded the six-minute clip on December 20, 2023, and in it, he shared his thoughts on his diagnosis, his legacy, and his heartfelt appreciation for his audience.

Sitting on a log in the woods with a crutch at his side, Harrell began the video candidly, “If you’re watching me, I’m dead.” He went on to explain that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer months earlier, and though he initially believed the disease had been caught early, it had spread more aggressively than anticipated. Harrell shared a poignant moment in which he described breaking his hip due to the cancer spreading to his bones, leading to his declining health.

“My time is drawing short,” Harrell said, before expressing gratitude to his fans for their support, particularly through Patreon. He hoped that his brother and members of his crew would continue the channel, passing on his knowledge and passion for firearms. “My goal in doing all of this was to put out useful information,” Harrell said, reflecting on his years of content creation. He hoped his videos had helped viewers make more informed decisions and potentially saved them money on firearms purchases.

The veteran YouTuber also expressed regret that his time had been cut short, as he had hoped to continue his work for many more years. “My sincere apologies… I feel like I’ve let everybody down,” Harrell said emotionally, before acknowledging his content’s impact. He concluded with his signature line, “As always, don’t try this at home. And thanks for watching.”

Following Harrell’s message, his brother, Roy E. Harrell, Jr., appeared in the video to confirm his death and vow to carry on his legacy. “It was his wish that I maintain his legacy through this channel,” Roy said, adding that Harrell’s work would continue to inspire others. Brad Nelson, Harrell’s manager, also appeared to offer his thoughts, praising Harrell as a generous and kind individual who had positively influenced countless lives.

The video received an outpouring of love and admiration from Harrell’s fans, many of whom took to the comments section to express their condolences and gratitude. One commenter described him as “a giant amongst giants” and praised his vast contributions to firearm education. Another referred to Harrell as “the Mister Rogers of the gun world,” underscoring the deep connection many felt to him.

Despite Harrell’s passing, both Roy and Nelson assured viewers that his work would continue through new content on the channel, keeping his legacy alive. “We are going to be continuing his legacy,” Nelson said, encouraging fans to share their own knowledge and enthusiasm for firearms in honor of Harrell’s memory. Harrell’s contributions to the firearms community will not be forgotten, as his teachings continue to resonate with viewers.